I did my first ride today on my new flat back rush. Sick! First off, going from hardtail to fc. Night and day. How did I ride a hardtail so long? Hucked my biggest drop ever no problem. Took about 7 days for the refund.

I have an 08 Rush 5, same color. I think the tires are decent on the 08 Rush 5, believe they are much better than previous years. I haven't done anything to mine yet except change the pedals to Crank Brothers Candy and while I like them I am not thrilled with them. Maybe it's me but I find them harder to get out of than the stock pedals that came with it and I thought they were supposed to be easier. The next thing I am going to replace is the seat and had planned on already having it replaced but I am not sure what I want. I like the bike though, very happy with it.

I have an 08 Rush 5, same color. I think the tires are decent on the 08 Rush 5, believe they are much better than previous years. I haven't done anything to mine yet except change the pedals to Crank Brothers Candy and while I like them I am not thrilled with them. Maybe it's me but I find them harder to get out of than the stock pedals that came with it and I thought they were supposed to be easier. The next thing I am going to replace is the seat and had planned on already having it replaced but I am not sure what I want. I like the bike though, very happy with it.

The float on those CB Candies is like 15 deg, vs 6 or so on the stock Shimano clones. I didnt like the candys either. I love the Time ATAC. They are the best of both worlds. Great mud/sand clearance like the candys, but it has less float and I unclip easier. They are a tad heavier than the candys, but worth it. They are also way easier to get into than both the Candys and Shimanos (or clones)

sounds like you bought the wrong bike. never buy a bike to make upgrades. your paying for the same component 2wice.

I don't agree with you on this one, but I do see your point. Sometimes the model you want is just not availible. Sometimes you want different compents that don't come on any of the models. (See any gripshifts on any cdale models recently?) Seen any rear Chris King hubs with 819 rims on a stock model? Cdale likes Mavic crossmax.

I bought my Prophet for the Lefty and the rear travel. The rest is targeted to be replaced as needed or I can afford. This just my personal pref and is more expensive. I'm not a person to just settle for what is given to me. I get the bike I want eventually this way.

There is also another benefit for replacing parts. You get back ups if something breaks. I kept the stock shock in case the Swinger 3Way ever blows or is needing service. I also used the old rear wheel as a trainer wheel. No swaping tires.

Wheels and tires will be the best bang for your buck if you can afford wheels.

IMHO this route would be most benificial
Tires
Wheels
Crankset (stock has a heavy, around 250 gr, BB. Plus the cranks set around 870 gr)
Seat, seat post.
Bars
Brakes (if you really love hydros vs cable, you could move this one up)

ziscwg.
i aggree. obviously people upgrade. a good example is the 29er. even the top model doesn't offer top end components. hence the x.o gropshifts and the xmax. i was referring to the rush 5. there are several options above that which include your suggestions above.
cheers.
kevin

i was referring to the rush 5. there are several options above that which include your suggestions above.

I would disagree. I bought the 5z and immediately upgraded almost everything, and sold the parts on ebay. I spent roughly what the rush 4 costs.. but got a better bike, and more importantly, the parts I wanted.